Study Finds Tripled Risk of Kidney Side Effects from PPIs

March 30, 2016 — The routine use of heartburn drugs like Nexium and Prilosec has been linked to higher rates of acute kidney injury, interstitial nephritis, and chronic kidney disease in a growing number of studies.

A study published in the medical journal CMAJ Open in April 2015 found that people on PPIs were 3-times as likely to develop nephritis and 2.5-times as likely to develop an acute kidney injury.

The researchers based their conclusions on data from 300,000 older adults in Ontario, Canada who began taking PPIs between 2002 and 2011. The authors of the study warned:

“PPIs cause interstitial nephritis and are an under-appreciated cause of acute kidney injury. … These are potentially reversible conditions that may not be readily attributed to drug treatment.”

Evidence linking PPIs and nephritis (kidney inflammation) has been growing since the early 1990s. However, it was not until November 2014 that the FDA updated labels on all PPIs. Delayed diagnosis or continued use of the medication increases the risk of kidney failure.

Earlier this year, JAMA Internal Medicine published a study linking the routine use of PPIs with a 20-50% increased risk of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

PPIs are used routinely by about 15 million Americans for the prevention of acid reflux and heartburn. They are very effective and widely perceived as safe, but are over-used and actually associated with a wide range of serious side effects, including pneumonia, malnutrition, bone fractures, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, anti-platelet drug interactions, and more.

Do I have a Kidney Injury Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting PPI induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with kidney damage, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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